Kilimo Trust and Egerton University have taken a step toward establishing a Joint Centre of Excellence in Regenerative Agriculture at the university’s Agro-Science Park.
The plan was announced following a meeting between Egerton University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage and Kilimo Trust Kenya Country Team Leader Anthony Mugambi. A ceremonial groundbreaking for the centre is expected next month.
The proposed centre is currently undergoing statutory and institutional approval processes, with the first phase of development estimated to cost about Sh40 million.
Prof. Kibwage said the partnership supports national and continental priorities on sustainable food systems and strengthens the university’s role in research-led agricultural development.
Mr. Mugambi said the centre will serve as a regional platform for climate-smart agriculture, carbon credit and bio-economy research, as well as private sector innovation. He added that the facility will be open to researchers, students and farming communities across the region.
The Director of the Agro-Science Park, Prof. Paul Kimurto, said the centre will operate as a hub for research, innovation and capacity building in climate-smart and regenerative agriculture.
“Planned activities include demonstration farms, farmer and extension training programmes, agribusiness incubation and applied research collaborations,” Prof. Kimurto said.
The initiative strengthens Egerton University’s mandate in agricultural sciences and positions the Agro-Science Park as a regional centre for regenerative agriculture, agri-value chain development and technology transfer.
The centre will be developed with support from the IKEA Foundation, which is already working with Kilimo Trust and Egerton University to help rice farmers and other value chain actors in Kenya and Uganda adopt regenerative farming practices.
The research component will be led by Prof. Kimurto and Prof. Ondiek, Chair of the Department of Animal Science, with Master’s and PhD students involved in field research and data collection.
Once established, the Joint Centre of Excellence is expected to inform policy, strengthen farmer resilience, and support sustainable agricultural value chains as East Africa faces growing climate challenges.
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